‘Twas a month before Christmas
At Blaisdell Concert Hall;
Honolulans were having
An early yuletide ball.
Bandmaster Clarke Bright
And his Royal Hawaiian Band
Were sharing a holiday show
With guests oh so grand.
Like Henry and Karen
Raiatea, Malia, Starr,
And Kamehameha choir youths
The eve’s best charmers, by far…
OK, enough with the rhymes. The evening was themed “Kalikimaka Ho‘omau” (“It’s Christmas Every Day”), a freebie staged by the City and County of Honolulu as the town’s annual yule time community highlights.
It’s a marvelous gift of song and artistry for the citizenry, and most gratifying was to watch the ordinary folks parading down the aisles seeking seats. The elderly, many in wheelchairs or utilizing canes, were assisted by ‘ohana to secure the best viewing locations. Many brought in bentos, not a proper thing since food is not allowed in the Concert Hall, but didn’t see anyone getting questioned, though the aroma of kau kau (and this was no luau) was improper.
Kala‘i Stern, RHB Glee Club leader, emceed the program, which showcased island music, hula, and novelty and traditional Christmas favorites. For variety, the RHB Big Band as well as the ‘Ohana Jazz Trio with guest artists provided variety, while simultaneously showcasing the depth and versatility of our homegrown cultural asset.
Many came to hear and rally for Henry Kapono, perhaps the state’s must active artist who shared some of his signature tunes: “Home in the Islands,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I Wish Christmas Was Everyday” and “Merry Christmas To You.”
Starr Kalahiki provided a sultry, sensational “J-I-N-G-L-E Bells,” and she was clad in a sleek red gown of renown. The tune, and arrangement, has ties with singer Frank Sinatra’s“Jingle Bells” recording, which has the clever spelling of “jingle” in the verse
Raiatea Helm, who has a new Christmas album this year, rendered three tunes, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and a poignant “Ave Maria.” Her poufy top was an indescribably oversized creation in white/yellow, worn over a silvery and glittering bottom. And she chose to have a lengthy pigtail dangling over her left shoulder, and a large floral accessory over her left ear completed her holiday glam look
Karen Keawehawai‘i also was abloom, a reddish-pinkish garden of sorts in her first time on stage, singing “Ku’u Hoa” while dancers from Ka La “Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e” did the hula. And for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Keawehawai‘i donned beaucoup yellow plumeria over her left ear. Festive and plentiful, which is her common trademark look.
Malia Ka‘ai chose white anthuriums, worn over her right ear, when she shared the hypnotic “O Holy Night,” with the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, conducted by Lynell Bright, offering backup vocals. She displayed power and range in her vocal dynamics.
The Kamehameha youths clearly were the evening’s favorite, thanks to their signature hit, “Hawaiian Rolle Coast Ride,” heard in this year’s box office hit, the live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” though the kiddie fave also has had a life outside film exposure. The chorus is a treasure and a treat.
The ‘Ohana Jazz Trio, guest artists, had the moves and the grooves to please the audience and blended well with the RHB. Noel Okimoto (drums), Dean Taba (bass) and Tommy James (piano) are also known as soloists.
Emcee Stern also is a solo singer, and demonstrated ease and efficiency in his “Christmas in Hawaii” number, augmented by hula dances Kanani Oliveira and Ku‘uei Hazlewood.
Bandmaster Bright continues to carry on the legacy of the Royal Hawaiian Band, whose roots to Hawaiian monarchy make it a unique organization in annals of performing arts. The band also boasts a number of star musicians and arrangers in the ranks, and the band’s link with a cultural ambassador, kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, is yet another stitch of authenticity in the organization’s rich legacy…
And that’s Show Biz…